Machine for erecting cartons



Sept. 30, 1952 F. M. WILLBRANDT 2,612,087

MACHINE FOR ERECTING CARTONS Filed 001;. 7, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l 1N VEN TOR.

Wm, 6M?

Sept. 30, 1952 RM. WILLBRANDT MACHINE FOR ERECTING CARTONS Filed Oct. '7, 1949 F/QZ 57 mm. m

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

F. M. WILLBRANDT MACHINE! FOR ERECTING CARTONS Sept. 30, 1952 Flled Oct 7 1949 Sept. 30, 1952 F. M. WILLBRANDT MACHINE FOR ERHCTING CARTONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 7. 1949 Sept. 30, 1952 F. M. WILLBRANDT 2,612,037

MACHINE FQR ERECTING CARTONS Filed Oct. 7, 1949 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 3O, 1952 MACHINE FOR ERECTING CARTONS Franklin M. Willbrandt, Battle Creek, Mich., assignor to Sutherland Paper Company, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application October 7, 1949, Serial No. 120,191

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in machines for erecting cartons.

The main objects of the invention are:

First, to provide a machine for erecting cartons comprising side walls hingedly connected to a bottom, one opposed pair of the walls having slits therein providing defiectable portions above the slits, the other pair of opposed wall-s having corner flaps provided with tongues engageable with such deflectable portions.

Second, to provide a machine for erecting cartons of this character which is relatively compact and at the same time of large capacity.

Third, to provide a machine for erecting cartons having interlocking walls which permits the blanks and the erected cartons being translated in a continuous path as distinguished from one in which the direction of the path of travel is changed or interrupted.

Fourth, to provide a machine of this character having these advantages in which the carton blank is very effectively supported durin the wall erecting and interlocking steps.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the following description and from the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a structure embodying my invention, a stack of blanks being shown in the magazine and an erected blank being shown in partially discharged position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in vertical section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View mainly in longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line 33 of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating a blank on a feed conveyor just prior to its delivery to the folding mechanism which is shown in open or retracted position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating a folder mechanism in partially actuated position with a carton therein.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a folder mechanism in a completely or fully actuated position in which the corner flap are adjusted to interlock with the walls having the deflectable portions.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line correspondin to line 1--'! of Fig. 8 showing further details of the folder mechanism and the relationship of the carton parts thereto during the foldingoperation. v

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in section on a line corresponding to line 8-8 in Fig. '7 illustrat- 5 ing further structural features of the mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of one corner of the carton which the machine illustrated is designed to erect, the carton parts being shown in partially erected position to show their general relationship, the carton being positioned upon a carton platen or bottom support.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner of the erected carton.

Fig. 11 is a conventional illustration of the feed conveyor. The dotted lines show a longitudinal adjustment.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated is designed and adapted for erecting the carton blanks designated A in Figs. 1 and 4. These carton blank comprise a bottom I, side walls 2-2, end walls 3-3 and corner flaps 4-4. The hinge connections may be of the scored type designated by the numeral 5. The corner flaps are hingedly connected to the end edges of the end walls. While I sometimes use the terms side and end walls and side and end. folders in this application it will be understood that theterms are used for convenience in description and that the blanks might, for example, be square.

In the cartons illustrated the side walls 2 have inwardly inclined slits 6 opening at their end edge along the bottom fold lines and providing deflectable end portions 1. The outer edges of the corner flaps are slit at 8 and notched to provide tongues 9 adapted to interlockingly engage the upper edges of the slits 6 or the deflectable portions 1 above them. The machine illustrated is provided at its rear end with a hopper is adapted to receive a stack of blanks A as is illustrated in Fig. 1'. The blanks are removed from the bottom of the stack and translated to the folding mechanism in timed relation to the operation of the folding mechanism and the erected cartons or trays, designated B in Fig. 1, are discharged by the chute II.

The frame designated generally by the numeral I2 is designed to support the various parts of the mechanism but certain parts of it will be described as seems desirable to bring out the outward relation of the mechanism. The discharge chute II is in the embodiment illustrated an extension of the front edge ofthe bed or table 13 which has an opening I l. The carton bottom support i5 is mounted centrally of this opening with its face in the plane of the bed l3. The member I5 is mounted on the brackets 15 carried by the crosspiece ll disposed below the bed so as not to obstruct the parts above. The support I5 is of a dimension approximately 5 corresponding to the dimension of the bottom of the carton to be erected. The carton hold down 3 plate It is mounted to reciprocate vertically above the support l5.

The hold-down plate is connected by a coupling designated generally by the numeral l9 to a crosshead 20 carried by the vertically recipro eating slides 21 disposed adjacent the sides of the frame so as not to obstruct other parts. These slides are supported in suitable slide bearings 22 and lower ends are connected by the links 23 to the rocker arms 24 which are oscile latingly mounted on the shaft '25 (see Fig. 2) and which is provided with an arm 26 coacting with the cam 21 on the shaft 28, Qther operating parts are mounted on this shaft for timed operation. The motor is indicated at 29 and is connected by suitable gearing and the chain 35 to the shaft 28.

The hold-down plate is of a dimension approximating the bottom of the carton as is best illustrated in Fig. 5, the plate being recessed at the corners as at 3| for purposes which will appear as the. description proceeds. The holddown plate is actuated to clamp the carton bottom upon the support, I5, with the walls of the blank projecting laterally over the openings in the bed surrounding the plate.

There are two pairs, of folders, one pair 32 which I designate as side folders and the other pair 33 which I designate asv end folders. The side folders 32 are swingably mounted to lie, when in retracted posiiton, below the plane of the support l5. The side foldershave ears 3 adjacent theirv lower edges which are pivotally mounted at 35. on the bracket 15 (see Fig. 3). These side folders have laterally projecting arms 36 on their outer sides which are pivotally connected by the, angled links 31 and 38 to the vertically reciprocating crosshead 39 which is in turn connected by the link 40 to an arm 41 freely pivoted on the, shaft 25. The actuating arm ll on the shaft 25 coacts with the cam 32 on the shaft 28.. The end folders 33. are pivotally mounted at 43 on the. brackets M carried by the crossbar, I]. The end foldershave outwardly projecting arms45 connected by links 45 to the crosshead 41 which crosshead is provided with a -slide or guide 8 slidable on the rods 39-. The crosshead 41 isconnected by the link soto the arm 51 engaged by the cam follower arm 52 cacting with the cam 53; (seeFig. 2). This provides timed operation for the side folders and the end folders.

The side: folders 32 have extended end portions 54 which also serve to turn the corner flaps 4 to an upright position at the same time the side walls 2 of the carton are erected. The folders 32 are providedwith inclined earns 55 on their inner sides adapted to engage the deflectable portions 1 of the side walls and deflect them inwardly as is shown in Fig. The recesses 3| in the hold-down plate permit this deflection without otherwise distorting the defiectable portions. After the side folders are actuated the end folders are actuated to swing the end walls 3 and the corner flaps carried thereby to upright position or erected position as shown in Fig. 6. It will be noted that the cams 55 serve as guides for the corner flaps so that the corner flaps are guided into the slits 6 with their bottom edges on the inner sides of the side walls and their tongues are guided into engaging relation to the upperedges of the slits or the bottom edges of the defiectable portions. This relationship of the parts during theerecting of the carton and the complete erection thereof arebest shown in. Figs. 5 to.-10, inclusive After the carton is fully erected the folders are retracted and the hold-down plate retracted leaving the erected carton positioned upon the support. In timed relation to that retraction the ejector 56 is actuated to discharge the erected carton upon the chute H as is shown in Fig. 1. This ejector is in the form of a curved arm mounted upon the rock shaft 51 which is actuated by the spring 58 to give it a snap or quick action.

The operating and control mechanism includes the arm 58 which is rotatable on the rock shaft 5'? and which is connected by the link B0 to an arm ti and adapted to coact with the arm 63 connected to the spring. The arm BI is angled to extend through an opening 65 in the frame with its inner end rotatably mounted on the shaft 25. An arm 35 connected to the pivoted end of arm 5| has a cam follower B'l engaged by the cam 58 for operating the rock shaft 57. With this arrangement and operating connection the several parts are operated in timed synchronism. These various parts are arra ged for adjustment for difierent cartons.

The side members 10 of the magazine are adjustable relative to. each other by means. of the reversely threaded shaft or screw H- The conveyor unit, designated generally by the numeral 32, is adjustable to and. from the bed, the. means for adjustment including the shaft, 73' having pinions l6 thereon coacting with racks, not illustrated, as the details of this adjustment form no part of my present invention. The conveyor is adapted to deliver the carton blanks from the magazine to the carton bottom support in timed relation to the operation ofthe top clamp, folders and ejector.

In the embodiment illustrated; in Fig. ll the, conveyor comprises conveyor chains T5supported by sprockets l6, and Ti and driven sprockets Hi and idler sprockets H2 which are relatively fixed: from longitudinal movement, but are shifted transversely by the screw shaft, Hi l} With this arrangement no belt tightenersarenecessary as is illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 11. The shaft 18 is connected by a sprocketchain 19 and suitable sprockets to the shaft 28. The conveyor slideways are provided in proper relation to: the conveyor chains which are provided with;

flights 8! to slidably support the cartonsas they are advanced by the conveyor chains. The hold: down bars 82 are disposed iii-spaced relation ,tothe slideways 39 to prevent buckling of the carthe shaft '15! by the sprocketchain 85 and suitable sprockets. The sprocket on the shaft 84 is of less diameter than the sprocket onthe shaft 8 for the purpose of drivingtheshaftflfil. The

purpose of this increasedspeedin" the rollers:83'

is to project the blanks across the bedandthe carton support and; bring their forward edges into engagement with thestops 85. The -.pressure. roller 81 coacting, with the feed rollers, 83.is mounted on a shaft 88 which is driven. ata.

peripheral speed corresponding to the peripheral speed of the said roller 83. Thisisaccomplished: by suitable gearing designated generally. by-the.

numeral 89.

To prevent rebound of the carton1=b1anksL provide a pair; of dogs or detentstil whichare pivotally mounted at 9|:on the;arm-,92; carried.=, bythe. mass; extending transversely of 1, thezmas chine. The coil springs 94 bias or urge the dogs 96 against the bed as is shown in Fig. 3. The stops 86 are mounted on the slides 95 having a rack 86 coacting with the pinion 91 so as to accommodate both racks in overlapping relation. The pinion Q'lis driven by a rack 98 which is slidably mounted to cooperate with a camiis on one of the vertical slides 2|.

'When the carton is projected by the feed rolls across the bed the dogs or detents 90 drop down at the rear edge of the carton blank and the carton blank isthen jogged against the detents' or dogs 89 by the movement of the stops, 86.. This takes place before the hold-down plate engages the blank so that the blank is properly positioned relative to the folders. The connection .1 9 for the hold-down-plate 'to the crosshead is designed to facilitate changing of the hold-down plate to correspond to the particular blank being erected but as the details of this mechanism formpended by arms 4935 which are adjustablyseoured to the crossrod Hit by said screws N31. The rear ends of the ends of the conveyor chains are associated with a magazine to receive the blanks therefrom. The means for transferring the blanks to the. conveyorchain comprise the suction cups m8 mounted on the swinging arms Hi9 on the rock shaft ilil which is designed to serve as a suitable conduit to the source of vacuum which is indicated at ,l i i. This source of vacuum is controlled by a valve designated generally by the numeral M2, the stem of which is provided with a cam follower H3 coacting with the cam Bi l. The suction cups are so supported that they may be swung into engagement with the bottom blank of .the stack and the suction or vacuum is so controlled that it is on when the arms swing to delivery position placing the blank on the conveyor ways and in position to be engaged by the flights of the conveyor chains.

The cartons are prevented from getting outaof alignment as they are conveyed by the feed conveyor by means of conveyor side members i W adjustably supportedon brackets H9. members have supporting rods i2!) projecting therefrom and extending through the brackets to be adjustably and retainingly engaged by set screws i2! (see Fig. 1).

The folding unit is in the embodiment illustrated so arranged that units can be easily The side rear of the conveyor.

veyor, in addition to the features I have described, the conveyor chains I5 are looped around the drive pulleys TH and over the idler H2 and the guide sprockets i8 and H at the front and. The depending arms I26 w engage the collars or hubs I27 on the sprockets 'i'il and hubs on the, idler pulleys. These hubs are splined to 'the'shaft to be adjusted transversely of the machine by the screen shaft not. I haveillustrated and described my invention in a practical commercial embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will'enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.- I

Having thus described my invention, what I ,claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Ina machine for erecting cartons having a bottom and side and end wallshingedly con nected to the bottom, the side walls having inwardly inclined slits opening at their end edges Y providing deflectable portions above the slits, the

end walls having corner flaps adapted to enter.

said slits and provided with tongues engageable with such defiectable portions, comprising a bed having an opening therein, a carton bottom support approximating but of somewhat less di inensions than the bottom of the cartonto erected mounted within said bed opening in spacedrelation to the edges thereof, a reciprocable carton holder plate coacting with said support and of a dimension substantially corresponding to the dimensions ofthe carton bottom, swinge ably mounted side wall and corner iiap folders,

said side wall folders having inwardly inclined and longitudinally downwardly and outwardly disposed camsfixed on their faces acting to engage the defiectable portions of the side walls and deflect them inwardly and to guide the corner flaps into locking relation therewith when the end walls and corner flaps are swung to erected position, said carton holder plate having recesses in its side edges permitting the deflecting of the said defiectable portions of the side walls,swingably mounted end wall folders acting to swing the end walls and the corner flaps to erected position while the corner flaps are supported by the side folders,'the said cams on said side folders acting to guide the corner flaps into interlocking engagement with the deflectable portions of the side walls.

2. In a machine for erecting cartons having a bottom and side and end walls hingedly connected to the bottom, the side walls having in-' wardly inclined slits opening at their e'ndedges providing deflectable portions above the slits, the end walls having corner flaps adapted to-enter said slits and provided with tongues engageable with such deflectable portions, comprising "a bed changed for different sized and shaped cartons.

This can be readily accomplished by removing .the pivot pins I22 connecting the end folders to the links 46 and disengaging the screws 123 which permits the crossbars I! being lifted from the machine and a new unit or different sized units substituted. To permit this there would be certain other adjustments, among others being having an opening therein, a carton bottom support mounted within said bed. opening in spaced relation to the edges thereof, a reciprocablecarton holder plate coacting with said support, swingably mounted side wall and corner flap folders, said side wall folders having inwardly inclined and longitudinally downwardly and outwardly disposed cams fixed on their faces acting'to engage the' defiectable portions of the side walls and deflect them inwardly and to guide the corner flaps into locking relation therewith whenthe end walls and corner flaps are swung to erected position, swingably mounted end wall folders act ing to swing the end walls and the corner flaps to erected position while the corner flaps are supported by the side folders, the said cams on said side folders acting to guide the corner flaps into interlocking engagement with the deflectable portions of the side walls.

3. In a machine for erecting cartons including a bottom and walls hingedly connected thereto, one opposed pair of walls having slits therein defining deflectable portions at the upper corners thereof, the other pair having corner flaps provided with tongues engageable with edges of the slits, in combination a carton bottom support approximating but of somewhat less dimensions than the bottom of the carton to be erected, a reciprocable carton holder coacting with the support to clamp the bottom of a carton to said support, said holder being of a dimension substantially corresponding to the dimension of the carton bottom, swingable folders for the walls' having the deflectable portions and for the corner flaps connected to the other walls, said folders having projections fixed on their faces acting to engage the deflectable portions of the one pair of walls and deflect them inwardly, the carton holder having recesses permitting the deflecting H of the deflectable portions of the walls while providing supports for other portions thereof adjacent their hinge connections, to the bottom, a second pair of folders acting to swing the walls having the corner flaps to erected. position while the corner flaps are supported by the first pair of folders, said projections acting to guide the corner flaps into interlocking engagement with edges of the slits.

4. In a machine for erecting cartonsv including a bottom and walls hingedl'y connected thereto, one opposed pair of walls-having slits therein defining deflectable portions at the upper corners thereof, the other pair having corner flaps provided with tongues engageable with edges of. the slits, in combination a carton bottom support approximating but of somewhat less dimensions than the bottom of the carton to be erected, a reciprocable carton holder coacting with the support to clamp the bottom of a carton to said support, swingable folders for the walls having the defiectable portions and'ior the corner flaps connected to the other walls, said folders having projections fixed on their faces acting to engage the deflectable portions of the one pair of walls and deflect them inwardly, a second pair of folders acting to swing the walls having. the corner flaps to erected position while the corner flaps are supported by the first pair of folders, said projections acting to guide the corner flaps into interlocking engagement with edges of the slits.

5. A machine for erecting cartons including a bottom and walls hingedly connected thereto,

one opposed pair of walls having slits therein defining deflectable portions at the upper corners thereof, the other pair having corner flaps provided with tongues engageable with the edges of i the slits, comprising a carton support approximating the dimensions of the bottom of the carton to be erected, a reciprocable carton holder coacting with the support to engage the bottom of a carton to said support, folders forthe'walls having the defiectable portions, said foldersh'aving and portions for simultaneously folding the corner flaps of the'other walls, said folders having cams fixed on their faces positioned inwardly of the said corner flap folder portions and acting to deflect the deflectable portions of the walls,

second folders acting to erect the walls having the corner flaps while the corner flaps are supported. and guided by the flrst'mentione'd" folders,

said cams acting to guide the corner flaps into interlocking engagement with edges of the slits while the deflectable portions are deflected by the cams.

6. A machine for erecting cartons including a bottom and walls hingedly connected thereto, one opposed pair of walls having slits defining deflectable portions, near each end thereof, the other pair of opposed wallshaving corner flaps engageable with edges of the slits comprising, a bottom support, a carton holder coacting with the support to clamp the bottom of a carton to said support, swingable folders, said folders having end extensions engageable with and acting upon the walls having the deflectable por tions for the corner flaps of the other walls; said folders having projections on' their faces acting to engage the defleotable portions to deflect them inwardly and to guide the corner flaps into inter-'- locking engagement? when the walls having the corner flaps are swung to erected position, second folders acting to erect the walls having the corner flaps while the corner flaps aresupported by the first mentioned folders, and means for successively actuating said first and second mentioned folders in synchronized relation.

7. In a machine for erecting cartons having a bottom and-side and end walls hingedly con nected to the bottom, the combination of a table having an opening therein,.'a carton bottom sup--' port fixedly disposed within said opening in the plane of the table, a carton holder mounted to reciprocate vertically above the support and act-' ingto clamp the bottom of a carton upon the support, carton blank feed' means comprising a carton blank conveyor way, conveyor chains provided with flights operatively' associated with said way to translate carton blanks edgewise along the Way, and feed rollers to which the carton blanks are delivered by said chain, said feed rollers being driven at suchspeed as to project the carton blanks edgewise acrossthe carton support, stops against which the carton blanks are projected by said feed rollers, detents coacting with the table to engage thetrailingedges of the carton blanks supported by said stops, folders swingably mounted below said table to swi through said opening therein and acting to erect the carton walls while the bottom thereof is clamped upon said support by said holder, and means for actuating said feed means, carton holder and folders in synchronized relation.

8. In a'machine for erecting cartons having" a bottom and side and end walls hingedly connected to the bottom, the combination of' a table having an opening therein, a carton bottom sup-' port fixedly disposed within said opening in the plane of the table, a carton holder acting to clamp the bottom of a carton upon the support, carton blank feed means acting to' advance the carton blanks edg'ewise across the carton support, blank jogging stops for the carton blanks, detentscoa'cting with the table to engage the trailing edges of the carton blanks positioned against the stops, swingably' mounted folders acting'to' erect the walls of the carton blank while the bottom thereof is clamped upon said support by said holder, and means for actuating said stops, feed means, car'ton holder, and'folders in synchronized relation.

9. In a machine for erectingcarton's' having a bottom and side and end walls hingedly connect'ed'tothe' bottom, the combination of a' table having'an openingtherein, a carton bottom support fixedly'disp'osed Within said opening in the plane of the table, a carton holder acting to clamp the bottom of a carton upon the support, carton blank feed means acting to advance the carton blanks edgewise across the carton support, swingably mounted folders acting to erect the walls of the carton blank while the bottom thereof is clamped upon said support by said holder, and means for actuating said feed means, carton holder, and folders in synchronized relation.

10. In a machine for erecting cartons having a bottom and side and end walls hingedly connected to the bottom, the combination of a table having an opening therein, a carton bottom support fixedly disposed within said opening in the plane of the table, a carton holder acting to clamp the bottom of a carton upon the support, carton blank feed means comprising feed rollers driven at such speed as to project the carton blanks edgewise across the carton support, stops against which the carton blanks are projected by said feed rollers, detents coacting with the table to engage the trailing edges of the carton blanks engaged with the stops, folders mounted to swing through said opening in said table to erect the walls of the carton blank while the bottom thereof is clamped upon said sup ort by said holder, and means for actuating said feed means, carton holder and folders in synchronized relation.

11. In a machine for erecting cartons including a bottom and side and end walls hingedly connected to the bottom, a table having an opening therein, a carton bottom support disposed within said opening, a carton holder reciprocatingly mounted above said support and acting to clamp the bottom of a carton upon the support, means for feeding carton blanks edgewise across the table and carton support, stops against which the carton blanks are delivered by said feed means, detents disposed to engage trailing edges of carton blanks positioned against the stops, and folders swingably mounted to swing through said opening in said table to erect the carton blank walls while the bottom thereof is clamped upon the support by said holder.

12. In a machine for erecting cartons including a bottom and side and end walls hingedly connected to the bottom, a, table having an opening therein, a carton bottom support disposed With- I in said opening, a carton holder reciprocatingly act with trailing edges of carton blanks positioned against the stops, said stops acting to jog the carton blanks against said detents, folders swingably mounted below the table to swing through said opening therein to erect the carton blank walls while the bottom thereof is clamped upon the support by said holder, and means for actuating said stops, feed means, carton holder, and folders in timed relation.

13. In a machine for erecting cartons including a bottom and side and end walls hingedly connected to the bottom, a table having an opening therein, a carton bottom support disposed within said opening, a carton holder reciprocatingly mounted above said support and acting to clamp the bottom of a carton upon the support, means for feeding carton blanks edgewise across the table and carton support, stops against which the carton blanks are delivered by said feed means, detents disposed to coact with trailing edges of carton blanks positioned against the stops, said stops acting to log the carton blanks against said detents, folders swingably mounted below the table to swing through said opening therein to erect the carton blank walls while the bottom thereof is clamped upon the support by said holder, and means for actuating said feed means, carton holder, and folders in timed relation.

FRANKLIN M. WILLBRANDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,409,474 Shafer et al. Mar.'14, 1922 1,937,027 Low Nov. 28, 1933 

